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A London Christmas 2007: Carols & Services
 
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Music has always been at the heart of a British Christmas and London typifies this tuneful fascination. Charitable singers gather on street corners, church congregations swell and concert halls welcome world-class performers. Get inside some of the city's finest venues, including historical landmarks like Westminster Abbey and the Royal Albert Hall, or simply gather around the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square and join the rest of London for a good old fashioned round of carols...
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A London Christmas 2007: Related Articles Traditional London Christmas Map Traditional London Christmas Guide (Printable Version) Sugar & Spice | Hotel Hideaways | Food & Flower Markets | Traditional Toys | Ice Skating | Festive Fairs | Shows & Pantos | Christmas Lights | Tinsel & Trimmings | Christmas Day & Boxing Day | Carols & Services | New Year | Fish & Fowl | Greens, Cheese & Delis   Cadogan Hall
5 Sloane Terrace, SW1X 9DQ 020 7730 4500 | Sloane Square Tube Tuesday 11th - Thursday 20th December 2007 Cadogan Hall is a good spot for a festive concert. The Byzantine-style former church has an appropriately Middle Eastern Christian feel, which combines with the always-impressive lights along King Street to give things a thoroughly seasonal feel. Here are some programme highlights and additional dates... Christmas at Cadogan with Kit and the Widow Wednesday 12th December 2007 "No carols. No mulled wine. No elves. Merry Christmas" A refreshing alternative to the season's traditional formats and tunes, lounge act, Kit and the Widow, offers a wry, funny, at times caustic, cabaret take on Christmas. A smattering of tunes, some tinkling of the ivories, a sprinkling of jokes and camp banter make up this evening's, "Christmas with an edge" entertainment. Date: Wednesday 12th December 2007 Time: 19:30 Pricing: £15-£28 Christmas Cracker Wednesday 19th December 2007 The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Nick Davies, perform a populist programme full of seasonal favorites, including Humperdinck's 'Hansel & Gretel Overture', Tchaikovsky's 'The Skaters' Waltz', 'Mary's Boy Child' and 'Winter Wonderland'. Vocalists Mary Carewe and Michael Dore lead the singing with the audience invited to join in at instances throughout. Date: Wednesday 19th December 2007 Time: 19:30 Pricing: £10-£35 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with the Joyful Company of Singers Thursday 20th December 2007 Traditional Christmas songs from all over the world, including the Basque area, Czechoslovakia and France, and festive classical music, mix with some favourite English carols in this robust concert. A packed evening full of familiar tunes contrasted with some unusual additions, you're guaranteed to come out singing. Date: Thursday 20th December 2007 Time: 19:30 Pricing: £10-£35 Additional Dates: John Lewis Partnership Music Society's Annual Christmas Concert Tuesday 11th December 2007 Time: 19:30 Price: £5 (Adults), £3 (Children and Concs) Carols at Cadogan with The Bach Choir Friday 14th and Saturday 15th December 2007 Time: 19:30pm Friday 14th December | 11:00 (family concert) Saturday 15th December 2007. Price: £10-£30 Orchestra of the Kiev Academic Music Theatre: A Celebration Concert for Christmas Sunday 16th December 2007 Time: 19:00 Price: £12-£35 Orchestra of St John's 'Peter and the Wolf' and 'The Snowman' Monday 17th December 2007 Time: 19:00 Price: £15-£25 The King's Consort: Handel's 'Messiah' Tuesday 18th December 2007 Time: 19:30 Price: £12-£32 Cadogan Hall - Information  Christ Church (Spitalfields Winter Festival)
Christ Church, E1 6LY 020 7377 1362 | Liverpool Street Tube/Rail Wednesday 12th - Friday 21st December 2007 It's been an annual event for a long time now, but the Spitalfields Winter Festival is still going strong with a host of unique musical events which range from bell-ringing to gospel workshops, lunchtime concerts and carols to Medieval recitals and classical works. This varied programme of innovative music includes a musical and dramatic rendition of the adventures of Sinbad and 'Joglaresa' - an infectious programme of Medieval and traditional tunes guaranteed to get you in the Christmas mood. All concerts take place in and around the beautifully restored Christ Church in the heart of London's vibrant East End. Spitalfields Winter Festival Community Carol Service Tuesday 18th December 2007 Always one of the highlights of the Spitalfields Festival is the annual Community Carol Service, with pupils from local schools and organisations performing with habitual gusto a lively programme of readings, carols and instrumental recitals. This year youngsters from the Tower Hamlets Saturday Music Centre and Sir John Cass's Foundation School and Centre perform alongside the Sing Gospel Singers. A heart-warming, community event, the carol concert always attracts large, loyal crowds and plenty of good cheer. All proceeds go towards the Spitalfields Crypt Trust. Phone: 020 7377 1362 Date: Tuesday 18th December 2007 Time: 19:00 Pricing: Free Christ Church - Information  Ham House
Ham House, TW10 7RS 0870 428 8933 | Richmond Tube/Rail Sunday 9th, Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th December 2007 Resting on the banks of the Thames in outlying Richmond, the Great Hall of Ham House's magnificent 17th-century building forms an atmospheric venue for this annual series of carol concerts. The afternoon performances are family-orientated festive fiestas with a visit from Santa and presents for the young ones. The later concerts ('Timeless Carols') are accompanied by more revelry, with mulled wine and mince pies on offer in the remarkable 17th-century orangery during the interval. The Kingston University Choir performs on Sunday 9th December, Mary Mogil and the Leon Singers entertain on Saturday 15th December, while the tones of Musica Divina directed by Simon Desbrulais fill the hall on the 16th. The programme covers a number of orations and showcase pieces, as well as the carols that everyone can join in with. Address: Ham Street, Ham, Richmond-upon-Thames, TW10 7RS Date: Sunday 9th, Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th December 2007 Time: Family Carol Concert: 15:00-16:30 Sun 9th, Sat 15th and Sun 16th Dec 2007 | Timeless Carols: 18:00-20:00 Sun 9th, Sat 15th and Sun 16th Dec 2007 Pricing: Family Carol Concert: £15 (Adults), £9 (Children). Timeless Carols: £22 Ham House - Information  Osterley Park
Osterley Park, TW7 4RB 020 8232 5050 | Osterley Tube Sundays 2nd, 9th and 16th December 2007 The yard of Osterley Park's still-working Tudor stables is packed full of good cheer on Sunday afternoons in December as guests gather together outside for traditional carol services. For an additional charge visitors can step inside the house itself to catch a glimpse of how Osterley would have prepared for Christmas in days gone by. Built in the 16th century, the house was completely revamped by Scottish architect Robert Adam two centuries later. The striking white pillar colonnade that fronts the house is just a taster of the fabulous neoclassical state rooms that exist inside. The house itself is set in 140 acres of gorgeous, verdant parkland complete with ornamental lakes and pleasure grounds. It's the perfect place to take a winter stroll and blow away all the cobwebs. Keep your eyes peeled for the ghost of a mysterious lady dressed in white rumoured to haunt the grounds. Venue: Osterley Park Address: Isleworth, Middlesex, TW7 4RB Phone: 020 8232 5050 Date: Sundays 2nd, 9th and 16th December 2007 Time: 12:30-15:30 (carols at 14:00 and 15:00) Pricing: Carol singing free. Entry to house £4.50 (Adults), £2 (Children), Free (Members) Nearest Station: Osterley Tube Osterley Park - Information  Royal Albert Hall
Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP 020 7589 8212 | South Kensington Tube Monday 10th - Monday 24th December 2007 One of the capital's most iconic music venues, this 19th-century concert hall is famed for offering a wide variety of entertainments. Its Christmas programme is no exception, with a range of concerts to suit most tastes from the King's College Choir to a raucous, audience-led singalong. Here are a few highlights followed by some more dates... White Christmas 2007 Royal Albert Hall, SW7 2AP Saturday 15th December 2007 White Christmas offers up a familiar set of seasonal songs from 'Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire' to 'A Winter Wonderland' and 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas'... A proper selection of old-time favourites, this'll have you swaying and singing in your seat before the first song has finished. Led by the London Concert Orchestra and the Capital Voices Choir and conducted by John Rigby, West End stars Jacinta Whyte and Gary Williams take on a range of solo performances. Another jolly, populist hit in the Royal Albert Hall's Christmas line-up. Date: Saturday 15th December 2007 Time: 13:30 & 16:45 Pricing: £11-£34 Christmas Carol Sing-Along 2007 Royal Albert Hall, SW7 2AP Sunday 16th, Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd December 2007 Get involved and help raise the roof at this annual audience participation festive extravaganza. Every year an ebullient crowd is encouraged to join in and give their lungs a good workout as they belt their way through a stack of traditional, Christmas tunes. Accompanied by the London Concert Chorus and Orchestra and hosted by musical genius and 'Playschool' and 'Playaway' king, Jonathan Cohen, this is an informal, lighthearted event, which is traditionally full of atmosphere. This is always a staunchly populist "greatest hits" set, taking in anything from religious staples like 'O Come All Ye Faithful', to 'Rocking Around the Christmas Tree' and Bing Crosby's 'White Christmas'. Tickets for this London favourite are likely to sell out fast. Date: Sunday 16th, Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd December 2007 Time: Sun 16th at 14:30, Fri 21st at 14:30, Sat 22nd Dec at 13:30 & 16:45 Pricing: £11-£34.50 Messiah 2007 Royal Albert Hall, SW7 2AP Sunday 16th December 2007 It's not really Christmas in London without a performance of Handel's 'Messiah' and the Royal Albert Hall is always pleased to oblige. This year the choral masterpiece is performed by 500 voices from three top choirs, along with soloists and the superb Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The Royal Albert Hall is a spectacular venue, a cathedral to the power of music, with one of the country's finest organs, and it is the perfect place for Handel's soaring redemptive hymn. Performers: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra | Goldsmiths Choral Union | Highgate Choral Society | English Concert Chorus | Maria Plazas - Soprano | Jean Rigby - Mezzo | Timothy Robinson - Tenor | Henry Waddington - Bass | Brian Wright - Conductor Date: Sunday 16th December 2007 Time: 19:30 Pricing: £11-£42.50 Royal Choral Society Christmas Carols Royal Albert Hall, SW7 2AP Monday 17th December 2007 The Royal Choral Society brings a selection of traditional carols to the Royal Albert Hall this year. The programme includes, 'Once in Royal David's City', 'O Little Town of Bethlehem', 'Away in a Manger', 'The First Noel', 'God Rest You Merry Gentlemen', 'O Come, All Ye Faithful', and 'Hark! the Herald Angels Sing'. Conducted and introduced by Richard Cooke with John Birch (organ), the Fanfare Trumpeters of the Band of the Grenadier Guards and the London Concert Orchestra. Date: Monday 17th December 2007 Time: 19:30 Pricing: £11-£34.50 King's College Choir Royal Albert Hall, SW7 2AP Friday 21st December 2007 The world-famous choir of King's College Chapel presents what should be one of the best of this year's carols and classical music concerts. These concerts combine musical excellence and professionalism with a great deal of fun - the element of audience participation has a wonderful effect on the audience's appreciation of the music. From Vivaldi's 'Gloria' and Tchaikovsky's 'Waltz of the Flowers' to Rutter's 'Twelve Days of Christmas' and a special 150th anniversary tribute to Elgar, this year's programme promises something for all. Stephen Cleobury conducts the Philarmonia Orchestra and Chorus with Sarah-Jane Davies (soprano) and Laura Parfitt (alto). Date: Friday 21st December 2007 Time: 19:30 Pricing: £11-£42.50 Additional Dates: John Rutter's Christmas Celebration Monday 10th December 2007 Time: 15:00 & 19:30 Price: £10-£50 Clic Sergent Christmas Celebration Friday 14th December 2007 Time: 19:00 Price: £30-£50 Classic Carols Saturday 15th December 2007 Time: 20:00 Price: £11-£37.50 The BT Christmas Concert Tuesday 18th December 2007 Time: 19:30 Price: £11-£34.50 Christmas Classics Wednesday 19th December 2007 Time: 19:30 Price: £11-£37.50 Santa's Christmas Cracker Thursday 20th December 2007 Time: 14:30 Price: £11-£34.50 The Glory of Christmas Thursday 20th December 2007 Time: 19:30 Price: £11-£34.50 Carols by Candlelight Saturday 22nd December - Monday 24th (Christmas Eve) 2007 Time: Sat 22nd 20:00, Sun 23rd 13:00, 16:30 & 20:00, Sat 24th (Christmas Eve) 14:30 & 19:00 Price: £11-£39.50 Royal Albert Hall - Information  Southbank Centre: Carols with Voicelab
Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX 0871 663 2501 | Waterloo Tube/Rail Friday 14th December 2007 One of a number of festive events taking in and around the Southbank Centre in December, this robust carol singalong promises to be an energetic raucous evening. With a set that can be described as "traditional with a twist", expect some old favourites mixed up with some unexpected additions. Decorated in suitably festive fashion by set designer and associate artist, Michael Vale, the Ballroom forms the venue for this fun, free, seasonal sing-song. Songsheets provided. Venue: Southbank Centre Address: Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX Date: Friday 14th December 2007 Time: 18:30 Pricing: Free Southbank Centre - Information  Southwark Cathedral
London Bridge, SE1 9DA 020 7367 6700 | London Bridge Tube / Rail Thursday 13th - Tuesday 25th December (Christmas Day) 2007 Dating back to the 13th century Southwark Cathedral is the oldest Gothic church in the city and boasts a colourful history (look out for the monuments to Edmund Shakespeare - the Bard's brother - and playwright John Fletcher) which goes towards forming a fine setting for a series of atmospheric annual services and concerts. There are various carol concerts (almost every other day) and seasonal services on throughout the month but here are some highlights and a couple of notable dates for your diary... Celebrate Christmas with Goldsmiths Choral Union Thursday 20th December 2007 Regular performers at some of London's most high-profile classical music venues, the Goldsmiths Choral Union choir entertain with a mix of seasonal songs and readings at this family carol concert. Held in the auspicious surroundings of Southwark Cathedral the venue promises to match the standard of the singing. Audience members are encouraged to join in with this festive programme, conducted by Brian Wright. Date: Thursday 20th December 2007 Time: 19:30 Pricing: £15 (Adults), £5 (Children) Midnight Mass Monday 24th December (Christmas Eve) 2007 The mother church for the Anglican Diocese of Southwark, the cathedral attracts a huge crowd each year for its Midnight Mass despite the parish being comparatively small in terms of residents. Make sure you arrive early, approach the cathedral via a walk along the river if you have time, and enjoy the build-up to this joyous celebration. Date: Monday 24th December (Christmas Eve) 2007 Time: 23:30 - arrive early to secure a space Pricing: Free Additional Dates: Marie Curie Cancer Care Carol Concert[/venue[
Thursday 13th December 2007 Time: 19:00 Phone: 020 7599 7777 The Sinfonia Soi Orchestra from Finland Saturday 15th December 2007 Time: 19:00 Phone: 020 7237 1245 Cathedral Sing-In Monday 18th December 2007 Time: 12:45 Phone: 020 7367 6717 Cathedral Choir Concert Thursday 21st December 2007 Time: 19:30 Phone: 020 7367 6717 Cathedral Carol Service (*not suitable for children) Sunday 23rd December 2007 Time: 18:30 Phone: 020 7367 6717 Building the Crib Service Monday 24th December (Christmas Eve) 2007 Time: 16:00 Phone: 020 7367 6700 Eucharist with Carols Tuesday 25th December (Christmas Day) 2007 Time: 9:00 Phone: 020 7367 6700 Choral Eucharist Tuesday 25th December (Christmas Day) 2007 Time: 11:00 Phone: 020 7367 6700 Southwark Cathedral - Information  St George's Cathedral
Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7HY 020 7928 5256 | Lambeth North Tube Wednesday 12th - Tuesday 25th December (Christmas Day) 2007 This friendly venue in south London has an atmosphere that is traditionally jovial with a real sense of celebration during many of its services - something which really comes to the forefront at Christmas. In the heart of multicultural London, St George's has a diverse, multicultural congregation and a special Christmas Day service in Spanish. See below for a couple of their major events and a list of seasonal services... A Celebration for Advent Sunday 16th December 2007 Renowned for its fine choral tradition St George's resident choir is often used for television and radio broadcasts. Displaying their talents via a range of carols and seasonal songs during this special Advent service, audience members are invited to join in with the celebration. Date: Sunday 16th December 2007 Time: 4pm Midnight Mass, Christmas Carols and Readings Monday 24th December (Christmas Eve) 2007 The hub of south London's cosmopolitan, Roman Catholic community puts on one of London's most renowned Midnight Masses every year. The atmosphere here is traditionally jovial and there's a real sense of celebration and old fashioned cheer as carols echo up into the vaults. Renowned for its fine choral tradition the celebrations here were broadcast on the BBC in 2004 popularising this inspiring service and attracting thousands every year to welcome in Christmas Day with song and prayer. Date: Monday 24th December (Christmas Eve) 2007 Time: 23:30 Pricing: Free Additional Dates: Catholic Children's Society Carol Service Wednesday 12th December 2007 Time: 16:00 Children's Crib Service Monday 24th December (Christmas Eve) 2007 Time: 15:30 Vigil Mass of the Nativity Monday 24th December (Christmas Eve) 2007 Time: 18:00 Mass with Carols Tuesday 25th December (Christmas Day) 2007 Time: 8:00 Family Mass with the Archbishop Tuesday 25th December (Christmas Day) 2007 Time: 10:00 Solemn Mass Tuesday 25th December (Christmas Day) 2007 Time: 11:30 Mass in Spanish Tuesday 25th December (Christmas Day) 2007 Time: 13:00 St George's - Information  St Martin-in-the-Fields Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ 020 7839 8362 | Charing Cross Tube / Rail]/venue] Sunday 2nd - Tuesday 25th December (Christmas Day) 2007 |
